For Gov. Chris Christie, balancing N.J.'s needs against Mitt Romney's will be a political challenge

Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesAlthough Gov. Chris Christie's political image could be enhanced by his endorsement of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, he'll still have to manage New Jersey despite the grind of a national campaign.

TRENTON — The crowd at the Perth Amboy High School on Saturday afternoon was confused. Gov. Chris Christie was supposed to deliver a speech on education, but the podium was empty.

One of the governor’s aides told a state senator that Christie’s son was sick, but asked him not to repeat it. Christie’s spokeswoman said "something personal" had come up.

As it turned out, that "something personal" was lunch with the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who was locking down a big political victory that day by gaining Christie’s support.

The endorsement was announced Tuesday, and Christie promptly vowed to campaign as much as possible for Romney while assuring that his duties as governor would remain his priority.

And so Christie, who told residents last week, "You’re stuck with me," after rejecting his own presidential run, will have to carefully thread the needle as he divides his time and attention between the needs of his state and a cross-country campaign that will provide him with a national platform.

Romney himself seemed to recognize that when boasting about Christie’s endorsement in a teleconference with voters on Tuesday night.

"He’s a great governor, that’s where he should spend his time, of course, being governor of New Jersey," he said. "But from time to time, he’ll be able to join me by phone, and perhaps occasionally by personal visit."

Christie said he was at Romney’s disposal as long as it doesn’t interfere with his day job. "When he needs help, they should pick up the phone and ask," he said. "As long as it’s consistent with the responsibilities I have as governor, which is my first responsibility, I’m here to help."

Christie, who is among his party’s most sought-after fundraisers, has repeatedly said that his popularity among Republicans is dependent on his accomplishments as governor.

In the months ahead, he is certain to be tested, particularly in his effort to attach teacher tenure to student performance and to offer alternatives to failing public schools. This week he held press conferences in Paramus and Mount Laurel — two districts where state legislative races are competitive — to promote his property tax policies.

Former Gov. Christie Whitman, a Republican who endorsed George W. Bush late in the 2000 primary season, said Christie would be able to balance his responsibilities.

"You have to be careful as governor not to go out too often," Whitman said. "You need to be sensitive to that. But people are pleased when the governor of New Jersey is sought after."

Even before Christie endorsed Romney, critics complained about his time spent out of state, especially when he failed to disclose his travels. In particular, he didn’t acknowledge attending an event in Colorado organized by David and Charles Koch, wealthy brothers involved in conservative causes, until a recording of his June speech was leaked months later.

Although Christie frequently criticizes Democratic lawmakers for sleeping on the job, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said his travels could undercut that message. "I am prepared to measure the schedules and out-of-state travel by legislators up against the governor’s," she said.

Christie, who traveled to 15 states last year campaigning for Republicans in the midterm elections, has brushed aside such concerns. This year he has crisscrossed the country raising money and attending conferences.

He jokingly assured reporters before a Republican debate in New Hampshire on Tuesday that Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has his cell phone number just in case.

Patrick Murray, director of polling at Monmouth University, said attacks on Christie’s travels are unlikely to resonate with voters. "The Democrats can shoot at that all they want," he said. "It’s just not going to go anywhere."

Gov. Chris Christie on Mitt RomneySpeaking at a press conference at Borough Hall in Paramus, Gov. Chris Christie answers questions about the timing of his endorsement of Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and criticism of Romney by some Republicans that he is not conservative enough for the presidential nomination. (Video by Brian Donohue / The Star-Ledger)

And Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said Democrats were scraping the bottom of the barrel by using Christie’s travels against him.

"I don’t for a moment fear New Jersey will be short-changed by this governor supporting a presidential candidate," he said.

To the contrary, political insiders see benefits for Christie by signing onto the campaign just as Romney tries to distance himself from his opponents.

Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex), who backed John Edwards in 2008 before shifting to Obama, said there’s little risk in making the endorsement.

"If Romney wins, he’s got a chit, no question about it," he said. "If he loses, I don’t think it changes anything."

Still, Julie Roginsky, a Democratic consultant, said Christie would need to be careful. "If Mitt Romney becomes toxic, that’s obviously going to impact the governor," she said. "You’ve got a governor who’s known as a straight-shooter endorsing the biggest flip-flopper in history."